Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #107542

Delight E. Satter, MPH, Center for Health Policy Research, University of California, Los Angeles, 10911 Weyburn Avenue, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1772, 310-794-2691, delight@ucla.edu and Charlene M. Worley, ScD, National Native American AIDS Prevention Center, 436 14th Street, Suite 1020, Oakland, CA 94612.

HIV prevention programs have indicated to the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC) that they have little to no information about the specific needs of Native youth. In order to provide these programs with technical assistance and capacity building services that are both culturally relevant and age appropriate, a national needs assessment was conducted. Focus groups were conducted in urban and reservation areas with Native young adults aged 18-24 (n= 37, heritage in over 20 tribes). The common reflection on sex education was: it was largely inadequate - most had sex education (biology, sexual development) in the 3rd grade with a second course in high school; the curricula did not cover attitudes, beliefs, values, complete reproductive health, body image, or gender roles. Key findings included: the average age when youth started dating was 12-13; the majority reported the onset of sexual activity before graduating high school; the participants discussed one major factor - their environment - that explained why Native youth did or did not use drugs or alcohol; most participants could not recall any Native youth that had not used drugs or alcohol; violence was witnessed or experienced by the majority; some believed that violence was a part of every relationship; participants that had seen adolescent couples fighting reported alcohol involvement. This presentation provides recommendations for a well-rounded sexuality education program, including curricula content and delivery. It focuses on issues that are universal for Native youth, whether they live on a rural reservation, small town, or urban city.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the importance of well rounded sex and sexuality education;
• Describe the contextual factors for Native youth and their sexual development and behaviors;
• Assess opportunities for improvement of local sexual education curricula.

Keywords: American Indians, Sexuality

Related Web page: www.healthpolicy.ucla.edu

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation